Ghana marks World Parkinson’s Day with cycling event, calls for support
A coalition of health advocates, cyclists and corporate partners converged in Accra over the weekend for a major awareness drive on Parkinson’s disease, as stakeholders called for urgent action to tackle stigma, high treatment costs and limited public understanding of the condition.
The event, organised by the Anyidaso Parkinson’s Disease Foundation to mark World Parkinson’s Awareness Day, featured a community cycling exercise under the theme “Moving Together for Hope”. Participants undertook a 24-kilometre ride across parts of the capital, with additional shorter and virtual participation options to broaden inclusion.
Cycling groups such as the Ghana Cycling Federation and other community teams joined the initiative, while healthcare providers offered free medical screening services to participants as part of efforts to promote early detection.
Speaking after the event, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Dr Vida Obese, underscored the importance of sustained public education on Parkinson’s disease, noting that awareness remained low despite the growing burden of neurological conditions.
She explained that World Parkinson’s Day serves as a platform to highlight symptoms, encourage early diagnosis and challenge misconceptions surrounding the disease, urging patients to seek prompt medical care and adhere strictly to prescribed treatment to maintain quality of life.
The Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Andrew Jacobs Bilson, also stressed the need to demystify the condition, rejecting widely held beliefs that Parkinson’s disease is spiritual or linked to supernatural causes.
He noted that although the condition is often associated with older persons, emerging cases among younger individuals point to broader risk factors, including possible exposure to certain chemicals. He further highlighted the financial burden on patients, revealing that monthly medication costs can range from GH¢8 to GH¢900, placing significant strain on affected households.
Adding his voice, Franklin Cudjoe, who attended as special guest, called for intensified national support systems for patients. Drawing from his own experience with a neurological condition, he said Parkinson’s disease affects brain function and can progressively worsen if not properly managed.
He cautioned against stigma, noting that many sufferers are misunderstood due to visible symptoms such as tremors and impaired movement, which are sometimes misinterpreted as signs of intoxication or mental instability.
Mr Cudjoe further urged individuals to avoid harmful lifestyles and exposure to toxic substances, which could exacerbate neurological conditions, while advocating stronger collaboration between government, civil society and private institutions to improve access to treatment and care.
The event also drew support from organisations including the Neurology Society of Ghana and IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, among others, reflecting growing multi-sectoral interest in addressing the challenges posed by Parkinson’s disease in Ghana.
Health advocates say sustained awareness campaigns, coupled with improved healthcare access and community support, will be critical in reducing stigma and ensuring better outcomes for persons living with the condition.
